Performance: Prairie Voices, conducted by GiUng Lee, 2019
About Kaisa-Isa Niyan:
| Text in Maguindanaon | English Translation |
| Kaisa-isa niyan, Kaduwa-duwa niyan Katelo-telo niyan Kapati pinggapatan Kalima ni tagedteb Kanem i dagedeban Kapito-pito naga Kawalo banubugan Kasiyam kabankaban Kasapolo bindasan | Just one, two, or three of that. Four are alternating. Five: too noisy, it’s disturbing. Six: a sound so loud! Seven: A dragon… Eight: …pounds heavily on a puddle. Nine: a box. Ten: a drawer. |
“Kaisa-isa Niyan is based on a popular children’s counting chant from Maguindanao, Southern Philippines. Similar to the English rhyme “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe,” Kaisa-isa Niyan has a playful character and may seem nonsensical. The composer draws musical inspiration from the centuries- old traditional Maguindanaon percussion ensemble which is composed of a set of different gongs, with the kulintang – a set of graduated metallic gongs playing the melody. (Kulintang refers to the music, the specific instrument, and the ensemble as well). This setting imitates the various rhythmic layers of a kulintang piece, and employs onomatopoeic syllables to mimic the sound of the different gongs. Clapping, stomping, and shouting also add to the playful character of the chant. Kaisa-isa Niyan was premiered by the Philippine Madrigal Singers at the 2007 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing. Their historical win sets the group as the first choir in the world to win the prestigious title twice (1997, 2007).”
About Nilo Alcala:
“Trailblazing composer and artist Nilo Alcala is carving a legacy for Philippine Arts internationally. He is the first Philippine-born composer to receive the COPLAND HOUSE Residency Award (2017), as well as to be commissioned by Grammy-winner Los Angeles Master Chorale. He is also the first Filipino-American artist to be featured as MUSICAL AMERICA WORLDWIDE’S Artist of the Month, and be awarded THE AMERICAN PRIZE in the Professional Division, Major Choral Works Category. He has received two ANI NG DANGAL (Harvest of Honor) awards from two Philippine Presidents.
His commissions include San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, Asia-Europe Foundation; Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival; Korean Ministry of Culture; National Music Competition for Young Artists, Philippines; Manila Symphony Orchestra, and many other ensembles. Notable collaborations include performances by the World Youth Choir, San Francisco Girls Chorus, and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.
Alcala’s virtuosic choral works have been performed by numerous winning ensembles in prestigious competitions and festivals in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. He was member and composer-in-residence of the Philippine Madrigal Singers (UNESCO Artist for Peace). An Asian Cultural Council grantee, Alcala was a Billy Joel Fellow at Syracuse University where he received the Irene L. Crooker Music Award.”
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